MOSES LAKE -- For 150 people in Grant County, next Wednesday could be the beginning of something "Amazing."

Arriving in teams of two, as many as 400 people are expected to flock to the Grant County Fairgrounds May 24 for the chance to travel around the world as a contestant of television's "The Amazing Race."

Casting for CBS' hit reality television show will be held in Moses Lake next Wednesday, part of a four-day tryout in the Inland Northwest being organized by Spokane's KREM 2. Organizers will pick 75 two-member teams from the crowd at random, who in just two minutes in front of the camera, will have to make their pitch for why they should be a part of the adventure-filled reality show. Their recorded segments will be sent to CBS, which will dwindle down contestants for further interviews.

"I would love it if someone made it from this area, it would be so great," said Laura Papetti with KREM 2, who is organizing local tryouts for CBS.

Gates for the tryout open at 10 a.m., and close when casting begins at 11 a.m. at the Fairgrounds on Airway Drive. Each team member trying out is asked to bring a completed application and valid identification. Applications for the casting call are available at "The Amazing Race" link at www.krem.com.

Grant County Fairgrounds Fair and Facility Manager Al Holman said the tryout would be the first time the fairgrounds has ever hosted a television casting call, but said the fairgrounds will definitely consider holding more in the future. Calling the event "unique and fun," Holman said it would be great if someone local were to make it on the show.

Teams on the program participate in competitions in strange and exotic lands around the world, always anticipating their next challenge. Eliminated one by one, the last team surviving walks away with $1 million. There is no guarantee potential contestants will move forward in the contestant selection process, but reality show junkies will be seeking a spot on the show's "amazing" 11th season.

Those not selected to tryout Wednesday are welcome to travel to other Inland Northwest casting calls next week. The casting call will be similar to ones throughout the nation, including three others in the Inland Northwest. Tryouts are also being held in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and Kellogg, Idaho, May 23-26.

Papetti said the station has already heard a great deal of support for the show, and for tryouts at each of the four locations.

"We're really excited and we think there's going to be quite a crowd," she said.

OCEAN CITY- A race around the globe began right here on Delmarva on Tuesday. WBOC hosted a casting call for the CBS hit series Amazing Race at Seacrets in Ocean City.

While no one knew exactly what CBS is looking for, 470 people gave it their best shot.

Two ladies arrived in Ocean City at 5 p.m. Monday. "But we didn't get in line until 7 in the morning," said one with a smile.

These two were the first Delmarva contestants to apply for the chance to be on the Amazing Race.

To the average onlooker, the Amazing Race translated into some amazing Lines. People queued up for the chance to become a contestant on the show where the first place winners (consisting of a pair), wins $1 million.

"You are looking at the most competitive person on earth- hands down- you will not find anyone more competitive than I," said one man, as his father-in-law, and fellow hopeful racer, looked on.

"Because we'd be the first father and son team ever to be on The Amazing Race," said the father as his son echoed the words, "and win a million dollars. But money doesn't mean anything. We do it because we love each other." And then they both laughed.

Two women who are neighbors in Salisbury appeared in matching safari vests and compared themselves to Lucy and Ethel.

"We always get into mischief, get into trouble together. But we always find our way out," said one of the women.

There's no telling what makes CBS choose one pair over the other.

"We don't know exactly what CBS is looking for in the Amazing Race 11" said WBOC Promotions Director Mary Borger, "but we know that they want personality, character, and people to be themselves and really show what they have to be on TV."

Many came ready for a good time.

"We're currently war heroes serving in Uncle Sam's Navy," said two men as they awkwardly paused and laughed, "and frankly, we need a vacation."

Two kindergarten teachers acted out their skit, complete with a geography lesson.

"We've got the Arctic in one place, the Antarctic in the other, and the rainforest right in the middle of our classroom," said one of the teachers. Her partner turned to her and asked in a lilting English Accent: "Have you ever been to those places?" The reply: "No, and we're not likely to go on our teacher's salaries. "

But they and 10 other pairs may soon need to dig up their passports.

To apply without the casting call, make a VHS tape and send it to CBS by next Friday. The application and official rules can be found on this Web site.

There's no word on when hopefuls will know if they are chosen. But producers had 20 casting calls to sort through, and they will be contacting the preliminary winners directly.

And make a note on your calendar: WBOC's Survivor casting call is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at the Furniture Land in Delmar

LIFE JUST NOT EXCITING ENOUGH?: Want to explore the world? Do you have a taste for the exotic (think deep-fried crickets)? Can you and your partner get to an airport without arguing over directions? If you answered yes, head to the local audition for CBS' Amazing Race on Saturday. The reality show with the $1 million prize comes to Miami to search for teams for its next race around the world. Grab your best friend, wife, mother or whoever you can stand traveling thousands of miles with and show up between 1 and 4 p.m. at GameWorks Miami (Shops at Sunset Place, at Sunset Drive and U.S. 1). For more information, call 305-667-4263.

CBS 11 is hosting an audition event for CBS's hit series "The Amazing Race!"

Who: You and a teammate can audition!What: Auditions for "The Amazing Race" #11When: Saturday, June 17 from 11a-5pWhere: Sherlockís Baker St. Pub & Grill located at 254 Lincoln Square (I-30 and North Collins) in Arlington, Texas.